Down Under Series

A special series created for genealogists living Down Under. Webinars are presented live and in respect to the local time zone. Topics include Down Under genealogy, technology, and U.K. and European ancestral research.

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1:14:47
368 views
CC
How to Catch a Criminal: Finding Records for Your Rogue Relatives Downunder
Australia has a wealth of publicly available records for people who have interacted with the criminal justice system, be they criminals, suspects, victims of crime, witnesses in criminal cases, and law enforcement officials, but do you know how to find these records? This talk will do a deep dive into the available record sets, including mug shots, prison registers, criminal court records, inquests and coronial records, and Police Gazettes, among others.
Kristy Love
Australia has a wealth of publicly available records for people who have interacted with the criminal justice system, be they criminals, suspects, victims of crime, witnesses in criminal cases, and law enforcement officials, but do you know how to find these records? This talk will do a deep dive into the available record sets, including mug shots, prison registers, criminal court records, inquests and coronial records, and Police Gazettes, among others.
Wed, September 6 2023: 2:00 UTC
1:03:27
312 views
CC
Six Top Sites for Queensland Research
Let’s dive into six Queensland, Australia sites for your genealogical research.
Let’s dive into six Queensland, Australia sites for your genealogical research.
Wed, August 2 2023: 2:00 UTC
1:06:19
425 views
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Another Four Sources for New Zealand Family History
Taking a deeper dive into other resources to extend your New Zealand family history research.
Taking a deeper dive into other resources to extend your New Zealand family history research.
Wed, June 7 2023: 2:00 UTC
1:07:23
409 views
CC
Convicts: From Trial to Freedom
Convicts are amongst the best documented Australian early settlers. Learn how you can follow the passage of convict ancestors from the initial reports of their crimes, through trial and transportation and the documentation of their period as a convict in an Australian colony.
Kerry Farmer
Convicts are amongst the best documented Australian early settlers. Learn how you can follow the passage of convict ancestors from the initial reports of their crimes, through trial and transportation and the documentation of their period as a convict in an Australian colony.
Wed, May 3 2023: 2:00 UTC
1:03:04
342 views
Looking for ‘Aliens’ Down Under: A Guide to Australian Naturalisation Records
Following the founding of the colony of Australia, individuals born in the British Empire were considered British subjects, irrespective of the nationality of their parents. Residents of Australia whose native place was outside of the British Empire were not afforded the same rights and privileges as British subjects. These rights, in particular the right to buy land and vote, could be conferred to an individual by a process known as naturalisation. This bureaucratic process generated multiple sets of records that contain a wealth of genealogical information. This talk will outline the complex history of naturalisation in Australia, the changing terminology used, how, when and why naturalisation records were created, and discuss the likely availability of records and for whom they may have been created.
Kristy Love
Following the founding of the colony of Australia, individuals born in the British Empire were considered British subjects, irrespective of the nationality of their parents. Residents of Australia whose native place was outside of the British Empire were not afforded the same rights and privileges as British subjects. These rights, in particular the right to buy land and vote, could be conferred to an individual by a process known as naturalisation. This bureaucratic process generated multiple sets of records that contain a wealth of genealogical information. This talk will outline the complex history of naturalisation in Australia, the changing terminology used, how, when and why naturalisation records were created, and discuss the likely availability of records and for whom they may have been created.
Wed, April 5 2023: 2:00 UTC
1:25:12
Tips and Tools for Navigating the English Probate System
The probate system in England and Wales changed significantly in 1858. Learn how the English probate system worked before and after that change, see what records are available and why they are of value. Learn tips and tools for procedures which will simplify the search process, whether the ancestor’s location in England is known or unknown.
The probate system in England and Wales changed significantly in 1858. Learn how the English probate system worked before and after that change, see what records are available and why they are of value. Learn tips and tools for procedures which will simplify the search process, whether the ancestor’s location in England is known or unknown.
Wed, March 1 2023: 1:00 UTC
1:07:48
575 views
CC
Settlers, Squatters and Selectors: Land ownership in Australia, 1788-1900
Since the early days of British settlement in Australia, land has been considered to be one of its greatest assets. Until 1831, some settlers received large grants of land while others were entitled to only 30 acres, plus an additional 20 acres if married and 10 acres for each child. Over the next seventy years, the colonies developed their own land allocation schemes, each devised for a specific purpose. This presentation will highlight the records which relate to Crown Land, pastoral runs, land selection, occupation records, land orders and land ownership.
Since the early days of British settlement in Australia, land has been considered to be one of its greatest assets. Until 1831, some settlers received large grants of land while others were entitled to only 30 acres, plus an additional 20 acres if married and 10 acres for each child. Over the next seventy years, the colonies developed their own land allocation schemes, each devised for a specific purpose. This presentation will highlight the records which relate to Crown Land, pastoral runs, land selection, occupation records, land orders and land ownership.
Wed, February 1 2023: 1:00 UTC
1:30:29
Lloyd’s of London: its history and its records for shipping
Lloyd’s Shipping Lists, and the allied publications are the go-to resources for information about merchant shipping over 100 tons worldwide since 1696. Lloyd’s of London created its first news sheet in 1696. Its successor Lloyd’s List issued in 1734 was a weekly journal of news about ships arriving in English and Irish ports. The New Lloyd’s List ran as a rival beginning in 1769, and replaced it 1773, dropping New after 1788. The frequency of publication changed to daily with annual indexes, advertisements were introduced in 1854. Lloyd’s Weekly Shipping Index began publication in 1880. Further changes were made especially during WWI and WWI with additional records being created. Shipping records are still being produced. The Lists created by Lloyd’s are the go-to place for shipping over 100 tons worldwide to get information on the vessels, their masters, and their owners. The presentation will show examples of the different records and how to interpret and understand the information contained. We will look at what is online, and where to look when not online. Plus, once identified where can one look for more information about the ships and the people involved.
Lloyd’s Shipping Lists, and the allied publications are the go-to resources for information about merchant shipping over 100 tons worldwide since 1696. Lloyd’s of London created its first news sheet in 1696. Its successor Lloyd’s List issued in 1734 was a weekly journal of news about ships arriving in English and Irish ports. The New Lloyd’s List ran as a rival beginning in 1769, and replaced it 1773, dropping New after 1788. The frequency of publication changed to daily with annual indexes, advertisements were introduced in 1854. Lloyd’s Weekly Shipping Index began publication in 1880. Further changes were made especially during WWI and WWI with additional records being created. Shipping records are still being produced. The Lists created by Lloyd’s are the go-to place for shipping over 100 tons worldwide to get information on the vessels, their masters, and their owners. The presentation will show examples of the different records and how to interpret and understand the information contained. We will look at what is online, and where to look when not online. Plus, once identified where can one look for more information about the ships and the people involved.
Wed, December 7 2022: 1:00 UTC
1:15:08
696 views
CC
Tips & Tricks for Researching in Australian Archives
This presentation explains how to search online archive catalogues for maximum results. Just one letter can mean that researchers will not find what they are looking for. Searching variant names and places is critical and numerous examples will allow researchers to search more effectively in Australian online archive catalogues.
Shauna Hicks
This presentation explains how to search online archive catalogues for maximum results. Just one letter can mean that researchers will not find what they are looking for. Searching variant names and places is critical and numerous examples will allow researchers to search more effectively in Australian online archive catalogues.
Wed, November 2 2022: 1:00 UTC
1:05:28
693 views
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Encounters – Our Immigrant Ancestors
Learn about 19th and 20th century sources for finding your ancestors’ arrival in New Zealand.
Learn about 19th and 20th century sources for finding your ancestors’ arrival in New Zealand.
Wed, October 5 2022: 1:00 UTC
1:12:46
325 views
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Shackles, shekels and shrapnel: the exodus to the Southern seas
Changes in Britain post the 1776 War of Independence, along with Capt James Cook’s mapping of New Zealand (1769) and New South Wales (1770), led to convicts and marines being sent to Botany Bay in 1787. So began British migration to the Southern Seas. Factors driving various waves of migration (economic, political, family ties, adventure) will be discussed, along with the effects the British Diasporas had on the Aboriginal and Māori Communities and their environment. Tips on tracing those missing down-under branches of your tree will also be covered.
Changes in Britain post the 1776 War of Independence, along with Capt James Cook’s mapping of New Zealand (1769) and New South Wales (1770), led to convicts and marines being sent to Botany Bay in 1787. So began British migration to the Southern Seas. Factors driving various waves of migration (economic, political, family ties, adventure) will be discussed, along with the effects the British Diasporas had on the Aboriginal and Māori Communities and their environment. Tips on tracing those missing down-under branches of your tree will also be covered.
Wed, September 7 2022: 2:00 UTC
57:25
183 views
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Finding Mob: Researching Indigenous Australian Family History
Government Policy in Australia, particularly from Federation until the 1980s, meant that many Australians with indigenous roots have lost connection with family and community. Between adoption, state foster care, missions, hiding ethnicity, and relocation, it is often difficult to know where to start and haw to analyse records. This webinar will present how to start your research, looking at repositories, institutions, and community records that will assist, both indigenous specific and general, in compiling a genealogy or family history.
Government Policy in Australia, particularly from Federation until the 1980s, meant that many Australians with indigenous roots have lost connection with family and community. Between adoption, state foster care, missions, hiding ethnicity, and relocation, it is often difficult to know where to start and haw to analyse records. This webinar will present how to start your research, looking at repositories, institutions, and community records that will assist, both indigenous specific and general, in compiling a genealogy or family history.
Wed, August 3 2022: 2:00 UTC

Upcoming Live Webinars

View all (45)
Wed, October 4 2023: 1:00 UTC
Gold Fever and Finding Miners Down Under
Wed, October 4 2023: 1:00 UTC
This presentation examines the lure of gold discoveries in various Australian states in the 19th century. Many people travelled down under to try and make their fortunes but didn’t realise just how hard it was working on Australian gold fields. Mining records and newspapers can be used to trace miners and to understand their way of life.
Shauna Hicks
This presentation examines the lure of gold discoveries in various Australian states in the 19th century. Many people travelled down under to try and make their fortunes but didn’t realise just how hard it was working on Australian gold fields. Mining records and newspapers can be used to trace miners and to understand their way of life.
Wed, October 4 2023: 1:00 UTC
Wed, December 6 2023: 1:00 UTC
Can you Write a Wrong? Copyright in Australia
Wed, December 6 2023: 1:00 UTC
Knowing what we can freely use, without permission, in our family histories ensures that we are not infringing on the rights of others. For example, did you know that if you watch your grandmother make her secret pasta sauce, writing down the ingredients and methods she used, you have created your own ‘literary work’ which is now protected by copyright? (Just don’t tell Granny!) How then does copyright law apply to published and unpublished works? What is fair use and moral rights? Can a distant cousin use information in her family book that I have researched? This presentation will examine those aspects of Australia’s copyright law which apply to family historians and discusses ways we can comply with the law.
Knowing what we can freely use, without permission, in our family histories ensures that we are not infringing on the rights of others. For example, did you know that if you watch your grandmother make her secret pasta sauce, writing down the ingredients and methods she used, you have created your own ‘literary work’ which is now protected by copyright? (Just don’t tell Granny!) How then does copyright law apply to published and unpublished works? What is fair use and moral rights? Can a distant cousin use information in her family book that I have researched? This presentation will examine those aspects of Australia’s copyright law which apply to family historians and discusses ways we can comply with the law.
Wed, December 6 2023: 1:00 UTC
Thu, January 11 2024: 1:00 UTC
A military heritage: Finding your British army lineage in pre-20th century records
Thu, January 11 2024: 1:00 UTC
Many Australians will have a soldier or sailor somewhere in their family tree, particularly from the 20th century onwards. Finding those ancestors who served in Australian contingents during World War One or Two for example, is a relatively straightforward process, mainly because the records are mostly available in Australian archives. However, once the search moves back into the 19th or 18th century, then it can become a more complicated puzzle. This presentation provides an overview of the military history of Europe during the 19th and 18th centuries and outlines the range of records which are available, such as those at The National Archives (UK) in particular as well as Australian archives and military museums and an increasing number of online resources. The wealth of detail will help reveal the life of your military ancestor and may even be able to take your research back into the 18th century.
Many Australians will have a soldier or sailor somewhere in their family tree, particularly from the 20th century onwards. Finding those ancestors who served in Australian contingents during World War One or Two for example, is a relatively straightforward process, mainly because the records are mostly available in Australian archives. However, once the search moves back into the 19th or 18th century, then it can become a more complicated puzzle. This presentation provides an overview of the military history of Europe during the 19th and 18th centuries and outlines the range of records which are available, such as those at The National Archives (UK) in particular as well as Australian archives and military museums and an increasing number of online resources. The wealth of detail will help reveal the life of your military ancestor and may even be able to take your research back into the 18th century.
Thu, January 11 2024: 1:00 UTC
Fri, September 22 2023: 19:30 UTC
Using Negative Evidence: The Power of Silence in the Records
Fri, September 22 2023: 19:30 UTC
Can genealogists take a negative (the absence of something) and develop it into a positive (proof of something)? Yes! If we understand what we’re working with and how to develop it. Negative evidence is a tool used by many investigative fields; but its definition varies between disciplines. This session defines the concept used by genealogists and historians: contextually suggestive silence. In layman’s language, Mills clearly separates negative evidence from concepts that are often confused with it: negative searches, negative findings, negative arguments, and negative conclusions. Case studies using autosomal and Y-DNA, censuses, church records, death certificates, land deeds and grants, topo maps, and other source types to demonstrate how to recognize contextually suggestive silence and develop it into solutions for situations in which no document explicitly answers our research question. *** This class requires a password and an active webinar membership to attend. On the day of the webinar, obtain the password (located at the top of FamilyTreeWebinars.com when logged in as a member). Then click the Join Webinar link in your confirmation/reminder email, and enter the password when prompted. ***
Can genealogists take a negative (the absence of something) and develop it into a positive (proof of something)? Yes! If we understand what we’re working with and how to develop it. Negative evidence is a tool used by many investigative fields; but its definition varies between disciplines. This session defines the concept used by genealogists and historians: contextually suggestive silence. In layman’s language, Mills clearly separates negative evidence from concepts that are often confused with it: negative searches, negative findings, negative arguments, and negative conclusions. Case studies using autosomal and Y-DNA, censuses, church records, death certificates, land deeds and grants, topo maps, and other source types to demonstrate how to recognize contextually suggestive silence and develop it into solutions for situations in which no document explicitly answers our research question. *** This class requires a password and an active webinar membership to attend. On the day of the webinar, obtain the password (located at the top of FamilyTreeWebinars.com when logged in as a member). Then click the Join Webinar link in your confirmation/reminder email, and enter the password when prompted. ***
Fri, September 22 2023: 19:30 UTC
Tue, September 26 2023: 18:00 UTC
How to trace your French ancestors with MyHeritage resources
Tue, September 26 2023: 18:00 UTC
How exciting it is to find French ancestors! But finding them in records can be tricky if you don’t know what archives are available nor the language. Using MyHeritage collections, tools and features, French research will have no mystery for you after this webinar.
How exciting it is to find French ancestors! But finding them in records can be tricky if you don’t know what archives are available nor the language. Using MyHeritage collections, tools and features, French research will have no mystery for you after this webinar.
Tue, September 26 2023: 18:00 UTC
Wed, September 27 2023: 18:00 UTC
Even More 50 Mostly “Hot off the Press” Net Sites You Want to Check Out
Wed, September 27 2023: 18:00 UTC
Continuation of: (1) Fifty Overlooked Genealogical Resources in Fifty Minutes (2) 50 Mostly “Hot off the Press” Net Sites You Want to Check Out! There are so many off-the-beaten-path websites to help genealogists, regardless of skill level and target location, that we still haven’t explored yet!
Continuation of: (1) Fifty Overlooked Genealogical Resources in Fifty Minutes (2) 50 Mostly “Hot off the Press” Net Sites You Want to Check Out! There are so many off-the-beaten-path websites to help genealogists, regardless of skill level and target location, that we still haven’t explored yet!
Wed, September 27 2023: 18:00 UTC
Fri, September 29 2023: 14:15 UTC
50 Family History Writing Tips in 50 Minutes
Fri, September 29 2023: 14:15 UTC
Learn how to conquer family history writer’s block with 50 fun and practical tips for getting words on the page.
Learn how to conquer family history writer’s block with 50 fun and practical tips for getting words on the page.
Fri, September 29 2023: 14:15 UTC
Fri, September 29 2023: 15:30 UTC
A Revolutionary War Case Study: Joseph L. Harper
Fri, September 29 2023: 15:30 UTC
Using case studies the lecturer builds on his previous lectures relating to the Revolutionary War tracing soldier Joseph L. Harper from before the War until his death.
Using case studies the lecturer builds on his previous lectures relating to the Revolutionary War tracing soldier Joseph L. Harper from before the War until his death.
Fri, September 29 2023: 15:30 UTC
Fri, September 29 2023: 16:45 UTC
Mini Case Studies Demonstrate Finding a Town of Origin
Fri, September 29 2023: 16:45 UTC
Finding your immigrant ancestor’s town of origin is an essential piece of information. With it, the family line can be extended across the ocean. Trips to visit the homeland may be planned. Have you spent years searching for this elusive piece of information? This lecture uses mini case studies to demonstrate strategies for finding a village of origin.
Finding your immigrant ancestor’s town of origin is an essential piece of information. With it, the family line can be extended across the ocean. Trips to visit the homeland may be planned. Have you spent years searching for this elusive piece of information? This lecture uses mini case studies to demonstrate strategies for finding a village of origin.
Fri, September 29 2023: 16:45 UTC